Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Logitech Harmony One

Many people in the world have more then one remote. There is a remote for the television, the VCR, DVD player, etc. If you are frustrated of having so many remotes and trying to figure out which remote goes with what then you should consider getting the new Logitech Harmony One. The Logitech Harmony One is a Universal Remote that will control your television, video games, DVD player, and VCR. It’s an all in one remote!

The Logitech Harmony One has a 2.2 inch color touch screen that lets you handle everything on your fingertips. The remote control uses capacitive technology which responds to electrical charges that are given off by your fingertips to turn on and off appliances. The remote has a nicely curved shape that is comfortable for any size hand. Then, the buttons on the remote are equipped with back lights so it lets you find the right buttons to press in the dark. Finally, the Logitech Harmony One has a great rechargeable design that makes it easy on the users because there is no need to change the batteries.

This remote is great for people with a lot of home entertainment devices. I recommend this remote control because it allows the person to control all the home entertainment devices with one remote. The Logitech Harmony One can be bought at the local electronic store like Best Buy or Radio Shack. The price for this great device is only $220-$260. Finally, the package of Harmony One consists of the following: one remote, charging station, USB Cable, AC adapter, Lithium-ion battery, installation CD, installation guide, and 1-year limited hardware warranty. Hurry and get your remotes and start enjoying the power to use all the entertainment devices with touchscreen and one remote!

Links:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8631411&st=logitech+harmony+one&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1194051531629
http://reviews.cnet.com/remote-controls/logitech-harmony-one/4505-7900_7-32825878.html

Video Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2u4wTJFYFA

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Plasma or LCD?


The two popular TV technologies that are popular today are Plasma TVs and LCD TVs. The Plasma TV display consists of many small cells, and within each of the cells two glass panels are separated by a gap where neon-xenon is injected and sealed in plasma form. The gas is electrically charged at times when the TV is in use and the charged gas strikes red, blue, and green pixels. This then creates an image on the television.

LCD TVs on the other hand are totally different from the Plasma TVs. LCD TVs consist of two layers of transparent material that are polarized and stuck together. One layer is coated in a polymer that holds the liquid crystals. When the television is turned on a current will pass through the crystals to create an image on the television screen. The LCD crystals however can’t produce its own light so an external light source, like a florescent bulb is needed so the viewer can see the image.

Advantages of Plasma over LCD
1. Better contrast ratio
2. Better motion tracking (no lagging)
3. Larger sizes available

Advantages of LCD over Plasma
1. There is no radiation from the TV so it is better for your eyes
2. Uses less electricity
3. Longer lifespan

Disadvantages of Plasma over LCD
1. Generate more heat
2. Shorter lifespan
3. More capable of burn-in of static images

Disadvantages of LCD over Plasma
1. Lower contrast ratio
2. The image on the screen can lag
3. Pixels can burn-out

After researching the pros and cons of both technologies my family decided to buy a LCD TV. Some of the main reasons we picked the LCD over the Plasma was because LCD TVs have a longer lifespan, using less electricity, and the LCD is better for the eyes then the Plasma. Unfortunately, the LCD TV will be a little more expensive but it will have better quality. If you want to buy a new TV I would recommend buying the LCD TV.
Other Links:
Video Link:

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Windows Mobile

Just when you thought cell phone tech couldn’t get any better, Microsoft comes out with a windows version for mobile. This new advancement is great for people on the go like business people that need the use of internet 24/7 or anyone who just wants to be cool. Windows Mobile is an operating system that is used in cell phones and other high-tech gadgets. Windows Mobile was first designed for Pocket PC 2000 and now Smart phones, Portable Media Centers, and some on-board computers in cars are capable of running this system.


Windows Mobile is similar to a desktop in that you can do almost anything on your phone as you would be able to do on a desktop. There are many office programs available on Windows Mobile including: Word mobile, PowerPoint mobile, and Excel mobile. Other features of this operating system include: Windows Media Player, Active Sync, Internet Explorer, Wi-fi connection, calendar and emailing capabilities. Active Sync is a program that allows users to convert desktop file versions into office mobile compatible versions. The Wi-fi connection allows users to surf the net using a wireless router. The latest version of Windows Mobile 6.1 was announced on April 1, 2008 and is an upgrade from the Windows Mobile 6.0. The newest version is Windows Mobile 7 and is going to be released late 2008 or early 2009.


I saw this new operating system for the first time when I got my T-mobile Shadow for Christmas. I didn’t know much about this until I read an article on Windows Mobile that told me about all the features it had. After I learned how to use the features it was pretty neat and useful to have. Now, I love using Window Mobile, it lets me surf the net using a wireless connection so I can go online anytime as long as there is wireless internet connection in the area. Also the operating system let me convert all the songs from my desktop to my mobile device, so I can listen to my favorite songs anytime I want. Finally, it allows me to send and receive emails so I can keep in touch with everyone without getting onto a computer. All in all I love using the Windows Mobile and I think it’s the best software advancement from Microsoft yet.